Disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid

ABSTRACT

A disposable and conformal liner that completely and internally seals a container and an associated lid. The disposable and conformal liner includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is disposable, is placed in the container, conformingly lines the container, and holds an item to be stored. The upper portion is disposable, overlaps the container once the item to be stored has been placed in the lower portion, extends outwardly past the container, and provides a gasket for the lid when snapped onto the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a liner, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid.

Description of the Prior Art

Splatter is caused in a microwave when just the bowl is heated in the microwave and the lid is off. Food can suffer from freezer burn. Plastic containers, such, as a Tupperware container, can become stained by foods and become unclean.

Lid portions of the containers are not reconfigurable into different sizes from square to rectangular, etc.

The container or the lid do not work like gaskets when the lid is placed on the container, thus keeping the food fresher for less time.

The liners do not come in different sizes to accommodate different sized containers.

Numerous innovations for container liners have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art, and which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the embodiments of the present invention, in that they do not teach a disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid, for example:

Example 1—U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,263 to Frew et al

U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,263—issued to Frew et al. on Jan. 20, 1976 in U.S. class 215 and subclass 12.1—teaches a container having a disposable liner of a flexible plastic composition. The liner incorporates an elasticized overlap to cooperate with one or more ridges on the container in holding it in place while in use.

Example 2—U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,973 to Ahern

U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,973—issued to Ahern on Oct. 31, 1978 in U.S. class 220 and subclass 495.02—teaches a re-use and extended use paint bucket of conventional form and proportions by disposable, thin, and internal fluid-tight liners that are vacuum-formed from relatively thick thermoplastic sheet material. Each liner has exceedingly thin bottom and side walls, but is self-sustaining in shape because of circular stiffening by a thick upper rim shaped to snap-lock with, and overhang, the bucket rim, and also because of longitudinal stiffening imparted by several inwardly-projecting hemicylindrical ribs disposed along the side walls where they will serve as vents, which facilitate insertion and removal of the close-fitting bucket liner.

Example 3—U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,906 to Brown et al

U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,906—issued to Brown et al. on Apr. 4, 1995 in U.S. class 426 and subclass 106—teaches a packaging system for fresh produce, such as, fresh lettuce and the like food products. The packaging system relies upon a quadrilaterally shaped and fairly rigid paperboard container having more than four corner portions therein and with an inner liner used for the storage and transport of the produce, such as, lettuce heads. In a preferred embodiment, the containers are octagonal shaped with four rectangular shaped elongate walls connected at their corner portions by four relatively short angularly located connecting walls. Portions of these containers, and, particularly, the side walls are capable of being reused. Moreover, they are adapted for storage and transport in stacked relationship and also fit upon conventional pallets.

Example 4—U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,686 to Julian

U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,686—issued to Julian on Jan. 11, 2000 in U.S. class 248 and subclass 99—teaches a device for stretching a top of a flexible plastic liner around a top of a waste or storage container to hold it securely within the container for an indefinite period of time by inserting a folded-over or turned-down portion of the plastic liner, which is outside of the container into a slot of an accumulator and rotating the accumulator either right or left until the liner is stretched tightly around the top of the container, then placing a restraining arm under the edge of the stretched liner in a manner to prevent the accumulator from counter-rotating until the restraining arm is released.

Example 5—U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,432 to Koehnke

U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,432—issued to Koehnke on Apr. 18, 2000 in U.S. class 215 and subclass 11.3—teaches a disposable, liquid-impermeable, and sterile plastic storage container for liquid infant foods. The container includes an upper portion for receiving the liquid infant foods. The upper portion tapers into a lower portion for containing the liquid infant foods. The upper portion has an enlarged peripheral width relative to the lower portion, with the lower portion having a peripheral width that is less than an internal circumference of a baby feeding bottle. The container has complementarily opposed seal strips that when engaged prevent air ingress to the storage container. The upper and lower portions of the storage container are of general tubular cross-section. The plastic of the storage container is selected to withstand temperatures lower than 32° F. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing apparatus is re-sealable in a Ziploc® container. The storage container has in its lower portion markings for fluid capacity.

Example 6—U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,762 to Friedland et at

U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,762—issued to Friedland et al. on May 29, 2001 in U.S. class 428 and subclass 43—teaches a covering sheet for applying to a selected surface in substantially fitted and covering relation. The covering includes a flexible sheet of predetermined size and thickness and has a rectangular grid of weakened lines to provide rectilinear yield lines extending in a first direction and in a second direction at right angles to the first direction to enable tearing by hand along selected ones to the grid lines as a tear in a first direction. The sheet has individual perforations extending completely through its thickness and located at the points of intersection of the axes of the weakened lines. The perforations facilitate changes in the direction of a tear at a selected point of intersection and to extend the tear in the second direction so as to achieve a desired size of sheet. The weakened lines further include tear lines extending diagonally between perforations to facilitate changes in the direction of tearing and to provide relieved corners to better fit into locations, such as, the corners of drawers, enclosed shelves, etc. The covering sheet has an adhesive layer, such as, a pressure-sensitive adhesive on its reverse surface, and with the perforations extending also through the adhesive layer and through a release medium covering the adhesive layer face of the sheet. The perforations may include a reticulated series of through-cut and micro-perforations arranged in oriented relation with the edges of the sheet. The release medium is a removable sheet on the reverse face covering the adhesive layer or it is applied in covering relation with the obverse face of the sheet when the covering sheet is supplied in rolled and self-wound form usually upon a cardboard cylinder.

Example 7—U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,398 to O'Brien

U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,398—issued to O'Brien on Jan. 20, 2004 in U.S. class 220 and subclass 495.02—teaches a paint container liner system including disposable liners and an open container for receiving at least one of the disposable liners. The liners are sized and configured to fit into the inside of the container and around the rim of the container. The liners are maintained in position in the container by a suction generated during installation in one embodiment, and by a noncuring adhesive interposed between the liner and container in another embodiment. The liners also are stretched around the rim of the container, and in another embodiment, configured with a rounded bottom to retain the liner in place during use. The system also includes a container cap with a slot for supporting a paint brush during periods of non-use.

Example 8—United States Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0267415 to Valenti

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2007/0267415—published to Valenti on Nov. 22, 2007 in U.S class 220 and subclass 495.11—teaches a disposable liner with or without a container, which stores and/or disposes cooking liquids, including grease and other liquids.

Example 9—United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0045153 to Schmal et al

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0045153—published to Schmal et al. on Feb. 23, 2012 in U.S. class 383 and subclass 118—teaches a liner having an elastic securing mechanism that is placed in a vessel to form and maintain a barrier between the vessel and objects contained therein. The liner includes an elastic securing band secured around the perimeter of the open top end of the liner using a plurality of spaced-apart tack welds or rivets. In one embodiment, the liner material is folded over the elastic and ultrasonic sealing is used to burn through the elastic and seal the folded liner material to it, thereby securing the elastic to the liner. In use, the liner is placed within a receptacle of the vessel and the open top end is folded outward and downward over a rim of the vessel, such that the elastic engages an outside of the vessel to form a secure and snug fit of the liner to the vessel. A failure to a portion of the elastic is limited to that portion of the elastic only and propagation of the failure is limited by the rivets.

Example 10—United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0165170 to Wischusen, III

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0165170—published to Wischusen III on Jun. 28, 2012 in U.S. class 493 and subclass 100—teaches a removable and conformal liner for a beverage container. When the liner is inserted into an internal cavity of a beverage container the body of the liner substantially conforms to the interior cavity. The container liner is adapted to provide snug cuffing over the lip portion of the beverage container. In one embodiment, the container liner is configured for heat shrink cuffing. In another embodiment, the container liner is configured for stretch cuffing. A system for manual, mechanized, and a combination of mechanized and manual installation of the removable conformal liner is also taught.

Example 11—United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0183726 to Calkins

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2012/0183726—published to Calkins on Jul. 19, 2012 in U.S. class 428 and subclass 137—teaches a surface covering that is a multilayered composite material. The multilayer composite material includes a top facing layer of polymeric film and a bottom layer of unsupported foam.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for container liners have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, a disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide reduced splatter in a microwave even when just the container is heated in the microwave and the lid is off, as a result of the presence of the upper portion of the embodiments of the present invention still covering container splatter.

Still another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to reduce freezer burn, as a result of the additional barrier created by embodiments the present invention.

Yet another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to keep plastic containers from becoming stained by foods.

Still yet another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to keep clean a plastic container, such, as a Tupperware container, with only the liner of the embodiments of the present invention becoming dirty and after use it is discarded

Yet still another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to have the upper portion thereof reconfigurable into different sizes from square to rectangular, etc.

Still yet another object of the embodiments of the present invention is that the lower portion thereof or the upper portion thereof works like gaskets when the lid is placed on the container, thus helping to keep the food fresher longer.

Yet still another object of the embodiments of the present invention is that the liners come in different sizes to accommodate different sized containers.

Briefly stated, still yet another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a disposable and conformal liner that completely and internally seals a container and an associated lid. The disposable and conformal liner includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is disposable, is placed in the container, conformingly lines the container, and holds an item to be stored. The upper portion is disposable, overlaps the container once the item to be stored has been placed in the lower portion, extends outwardly past the container, and provides a gasket for the lid when snapped onto the container.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the disposable and conformal liner of the embodiments of the present invention completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid;

FIG. 2 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the disposable and conformal liner of the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the lower portion of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the lower portion of the present invention lining the container as shown by ARROW 4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic top plan view of the upper portion of the present invention prior to fitting; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the upper portion of the present invention covering the contents of the container as shown by ARROW 6 in FIG. 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWING Introductory—FIG. 1

-   -   10 disposable and conformal liner of embodiments of present         invention for completely and internally sealing container 12 and         an associated lid 14     -   12 container     -   14 lid

Overall Configuration of Disposable and Conformal Liner 10—FIG. 2

-   -   16 lower portion for being disposable, for placing in container         12, for conformingly lining container 12, and for holding item         20 to be stored     -   18 upper portion for being disposable, for overlapping container         12 once item 20 to be stored has been placed in lower portion         16, for extending outwardly past container 12, and for providing         gasket for lid 14 when snapped onto container 12     -   20 item

Specific Configuration of Lower Portion 16—FIGS. 3 and 4

-   -   22 bag of lower portion 16 is for conformingly lining container         12     -   24 open top of bag 22 of lower portion 16     -   26 rim of open top 24 of bag 22 of lower portion 16     -   28 endless elastic band of bag 22 of lower portion 16

Specific Configuration of Upper Portion 18—FIGS. 5 and 6

-   -   30 planar sheet of upper portion 18     -   32 plurality of concentric weakened lines of planar sheet 30 of         upper portion 18 for allowing planar sheet 30 of upper portion         18 to be torn to size to fit container 12 configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Introductory

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the disposable and conformal liner of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 10 for completely and internally sealing a container 12 and an associated lid 14, wherein the container 12 has an open rim 15.

Overall Configuration of the Disposable and Conformal Liner 10—FIG. 2

The overall configuration of the disposable and conformal liner 10 can best be seen in FIG. 2, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The disposal and conformal liner 10 comprises a lower portion 16 and an upper portion 18. The lower portion 16 is for being disposable, is for placing in the container 12, is for conformingly lining the container 12, and is for holding an item 20 to be stored. The upper portion 18 is for being disposable, is for overlapping the container 12 once the item 20 to be stored has been placed in the lower portion 16, is for extending outwardly past of and downward on the container 12, and is for providing a gasket for the lid 14 when snapped onto the rim 15 of the container 12.

Specific Configuration of the Lower Portion 16—FIGS. 3 and 4

The specific configuration of the lower portion 16 can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The lower portion 16 is a bag 22, and by definition, has an open top 24. The bag 22 of the lower portion 16 is for conformingly and completely lining the container 12. The open top 24 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16 is defined by a rim 26.

The bag 22 of the lower portion 16 includes an endless elastic band 28. The endless elastic band 28 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16 extends along the rim 26 of the open top 24 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16, and as shown in FIG. 4, the bag 22 of the lower portion 16 is placed conformingly into the container 12, the rim 26 of the open top 24 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16 extends outwardly and bends downwardly over the rim 15 of the container 12 where the rim 26 of the open top 24 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16 is maintained thereat against the container 12 by the endless elastic band 28 extending along the rim 26 of the open top 24 of the bag 22 of the lower portion 16.

Specific Configuration of the Upper Portion 18—FIGS. 5 and 6

The specific configuration of the upper portion 18 can best be seen on FIGS. 5 and 6, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The upper portion 18 is a planar sheet 30 having a rectangular, square, etc. configuration, for depending upon the container 12 configuration.

The planar sheet 30 of the upper portion 18 has a plurality of concentric weakened lines 32. The plurality of concentric weakened lines 32 of the planar sheet 30 of the upper portion 18 are for allowing the planar sheet 30 of the upper portion 18 to be torn to a size to fit the container 12 configuration.

Impressions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in a disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A disposable and conformal liner for completely and internally sealing a container and an associated lid, comprising: a) a lower portion; and b) an upper portion; wherein said lower portion is for being disposable; wherein said lower portion is for placing in the container; wherein said lower portion is for conformingly lining the container; wherein said lower portion is for holding an item to be stored; wherein said upper portion is for being disposable; wherein said upper portion is for overlapping the container once the item to be stored has been placed in the lower portion; wherein said upper portion is for extending outwardly past the container; and wherein said upper portion is for providing a gasket for the lid when snapped onto the container.
 2. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 1, wherein said lower portion is a bag; wherein said bag of said lower portion is for conformingly lining the container.
 3. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 2, wherein said bag of said lower portion has an open top.
 4. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 3, wherein said bag of said lower portion includes an endless elastic band.
 5. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 4, wherein said open top of said bag of said lower portion includes a rim; and wherein said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion is for extending outwardly and bending downwardly over the rim of the container where said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion is maintained thereat against the container by said endless elastic band extending along said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion.
 6. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 5, wherein said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion is for extending outwardly and bending over the rim of the container where said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion is maintained thereat against the container by said endless elastic band extending along said rim of said open top of said bag of said lower portion.
 7. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 1, wherein said upper portion is a planar sheet.
 8. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 7, wherein said planar sheet of said upper portion has a rectangular shape for when the container is rectangular.
 9. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 7, wherein said planar sheet of said upper portion has a square shape for when the container is square.
 10. The disposable and conformal liner of claim 7, wherein said planar sheet of said upper portion has a plurality of concentric weakened lines; and wherein said plurality of concentric weakened lines of said planar sheet of said upper portion are for allowing said planar sheet of said upper portion to be torn to a size to fit the container configuration. 